Our Iced Coffee Recipe, made with just coffee and sweetened condensed milk, has been a favorite for over a decade. Creamy, sweet, and incredibly delicious, it's easy to customize to your taste and perfect for daily coffee cravings, brunches, or bridal showers. A simple, effortless crowd-pleaser everyone loves.
I almost hesitate to call this iced coffee a "recipe" because it's so incredibly simple that it feels a little embarrassing, but it is exactly the kind of thing that I want to share because it has saved me countless times.
Traditional cold brew takes hours to make and can be surprisingly messy. This gives you that same cold coffee experience with hardly any effort or hands-on time.
It's just coffee and sweetened condensed milk, but after making it (and tweaking it) for more than 10 years, I have landed on the perfect ratio for that creamy, sweet balance. It is one of those things that seems too simple to be special, but after serving it up at everything from bridal and baby showers to everyday afternoons, I can tell you that it truly is.
Skip to:
Why this condensed milk coffee recipe made the cut
Every recipe on Borrowed Bites gets tested, re-tested, and tasted by multiple groups to ensure it's something you can be proud to serve! Here's why this one earned its spot:
- Simple: With only 2 ingredients this isn't a complex or over-the-top recipe. It is easy enough to whip up in no time.
- Easy: Just brew a pot of coffee, stir in the milk, and boom - iced coffee done.
- Versatile: It's delicious as is, but also makes a great base for so many flavors!
Ingredients for iced coffee
This is an easy iced coffee recipe with just a couple of ingredients, but a couple notes about each one will help you get the best results.
- Coffee: With only two ingredients, it is important to choose a coffee that you actually enjoy. Our preference is a medium roast coffee because it is strong enough to stand up to the sweet milk, but not so strong it turns bitter.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Name brand or generic both work well so grab whichever one is cheapest per ounce.
Helpful kitchen tools
How to make easy iced coffee
Brew the coffee using 8 cups of water with ½ a cup of coffee grounds. On standard coffee makers, this will look like it reaches the 12-cup line on the carafe, but it actually equal to 8 standard cups.
Pour the hot coffee into a large pitcher, then empty the entire can of sweetened condensed milk into the coffee. Since the milk is so thick, I like to get a rubber spatula and get all the goodness out.
Use a long-handled spoon to stir everything together until the sweetened condensed milk is fully dissolved into the coffee and the color is even. Refrigerate until completely chilled.
To serve, fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the iced coffee over the top.
Hint: I've found it's easier to evenly combine the mixture with freshly brewed coffee while it is still warm.
Variations
- Chocolate: A really good chocolate sauce adds a deep, rich flavor that blends well with coffee.
- White Chocolate: Quality white chocolate sauce is an easy way to add that mild, sweet flavor.
- Caramel: I love using a sea salt caramel for drizzling on the sides of the cup and mixing in.
- Flavored syrups: A pump or two of a drink syrups like vanilla, hazelnut, or even a fun flavor like coconut.
- Dairy-free: Use a can of sweetened condensed coconut milk. Or use almond milk or oat milk with a sweetener of your choice.
- Cinnamon: Sprinkle some cinnamon on the top and stir in.
- Boozy: Try your favorite coffee liqueur for a fun brunch option.
- Mocha: For just a hint of chocolate flavor, dissolve some hot chocolate mix into the coffee before adding in the milk.
How to store
This iced coffee can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week. The key is to keep it in a closed pitcher so the air doesn't affect the flavor.
If making ahead for a party, store it in a sealed pitcher and transfer it to a prettier glass pitcher just before serving.
Can this be made dairy-free?
Yes! You can use a non-dairy milk and sweetener, but it won't be exactly the same since it isn't as thick.
We prefer using sweetened condensed coconut milk due to it being as close in thickness. Since it usually comes in a slightly smaller can than the dairy option, you might need to use a little less coffee to keep the same balance of flavor.
Tips & tricks
- To make sure the coffee and milk blend easily, stir the can of milk into the coffee while it's still warm.
- A medium roast coffee has just enough flavor without being too weak or too strong.
- Feel free to adjust the ratio of ingredients to suit your tastes, this recipe is very flexible.
More recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Iced Coffee Recipe
Equipment
- Long handled spoon
Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- ½ cup ground coffee
- 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Brew a fresh pot of coffee. *see note8 cups water, ½ cup ground coffee
- Pour freshly brewed coffee into a large pitcher. Add in the entire can of sweetened condensed milk. Stir until completely dissolved. Place in the refrigerator until cold.1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
Notes
- To make sure the coffee and milk blend easily, stir the can of milk into the coffee while it's still warm.
- A medium roast coffee has just enough flavor without being too weak or too strong.
- Feel free to adjust the ratio of ingredients to suit your tastes, this recipe is very flexible.
- Chocolate: A really good chocolate sauce adds a deep, rich flavor that blends well with coffee.
- White Chocolate: Quality white chocolate sauce is an easy way to add that mild, sweet flavor.
- Caramel: I love using a sea salt caramel for drizzling on the sides of the cup and mixing in.
- Flavored syrups: A pump or two of a drink syrups like vanilla, hazelnut, or even a fun flavor like coconut.
- Dairy-free: Use a can of sweetened condensed coconut milk.
- Cinnamon: Sprinkle some cinnamon on the top and stir in.
- Boozy: Try your favorite coffee liqueur for a fun brunch option.
- Mocha: For just a hint of chocolate flavor, dissolve some hot chocolate mix into the coffee before adding in the milk.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Danielle says
A simple yet delicious recipe!